JP4593516B2 - Paper loading device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer, or a sheet stacking apparatus such as a sheet post-processing apparatus provided in the image forming apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a paper post-processing device as a paper stacking device. This sheet post-processing apparatus has one sheet discharge tray on the side surface of the apparatus, and receives image-formed sheets (including the concept of sheets, transfer sheets, and recording sheets; the same applies hereinafter) received from the image forming apparatus. It has a function of once stacking and aligning on the inner tray and then binding and discharging to the paper discharge tray, or directly discharging to the paper discharge tray one by one without binding processing. Also known is a paper discharge tray that can be moved up and down to discharge a large amount of paper.

In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines have been digitized, and composite image forming apparatuses having a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a copy function, and a facsimile function are increasing.
Against this background, there is an increasing need to sort by function, and the use of multiple trays is progressing in paper post-processing devices and the like. For example, a single tray type paper post-processing device with an additional proof tray dedicated to simple paper discharge, or as disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, a plurality of paper discharge outlets are provided. There is a paper tray that can be received.

In the type with additional proof trays, there are two paper discharge trays as a whole. For example, copying can be interrupted immediately during printer discharge, but the proof tray simply discharges one sheet at a time without binding processing. Therefore, there is substantially only one sheet discharge tray that can enjoy added value (such as binding processing) as a sheet post-processing apparatus.
In the type in which a plurality of paper discharge trays can be received with respect to one paper discharge port, a plurality of paper discharge trays can be moved to one paper discharge port. There is an advantage that can be enjoyed in the tray.

In this type of paper stacking device, in order to avoid the rear end portion of the paper remaining at the paper discharge port and causing a stacking failure, a configuration in which the paper discharge roller protrudes from the end surface of the paper discharge port in the paper discharge direction is generally used. It has become.
However, when the paper discharge roller protrudes, the paper discharge tray that moves in the vertical direction through the paper discharge port collides and cannot move. In order to eliminate this problem, the one disclosed in Patent Document 2 is configured such that the protruding paper discharge roller is retracted inward of the paper discharge port except when the paper is discharged. As a result, the paper discharge tray can be moved through the paper discharge port without damaging the stacked paper.

The one disclosed in Patent Document 3 does not employ a configuration in which the paper discharge roller protrudes, and does not interfere with the paper discharge roller even if the paper discharge tray moves. However, in such a configuration, as described above, the trailing edge of the paper remains in the paper discharge port, resulting in poor stacking, or if the paper discharge tray passes through the paper discharge port as it is, the stacking state may be disturbed. The rear edge of the paper is damaged.
In order to solve such a problem, in the device described in Patent Document 3, the paper discharge tray can be moved to adjust the separation distance between the paper storage surface and the paper discharge port separately from the vertical movement. The paper discharge tray is lowered so that the separation distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined value before passing through the paper discharge port after completion of loading and paper stacking.
Further, in order to improve the stackability, a restricting member for guiding the paper so as to fall down from the paper discharge port is provided.

JP-A-8-26579 JP-A-9-110259 JP-A-10-310319

In the configuration described in Patent Document 2, the configuration is such that the paper discharge roller protrudes and retreats. Therefore, in order to realize stable paper discharge, the configuration of the transport path and the transport roller is complicated, or the paper discharge angle is not suitable. There is a concern that the stability may be adversely affected.
Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a paper discharge port is temporarily closed and a paper discharge roller is retracted when the paper discharge tray moves through the paper discharge port.
However, even if the paper discharge port is closed and the paper discharge roller is retracted, strictly, there is a slight gap at the boundary. For this reason, when passing through the paper discharge tray, there is a concern that the stacked paper is caught in the gap and the stacked state is disturbed, or the rear end of the paper is damaged.

  According to the configuration described in Patent Document 3, a drive source for moving the discharge tray up and down, and a drive source that moves to adjust the separation distance between the sheet storage surface and the discharge port (stacked sheets). And a relatively large force to move the paper discharge tray up and down), and in order to ensure paper stackability, a restricting member that guides the paper to fall from the paper discharge port is also required. As a result, the cost will increase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main object of the present invention is to provide a sheet stacking apparatus and an image forming apparatus having the sheet stacking apparatus capable of improving sheet stacking characteristics with a relatively simple and low-cost configuration in a type in which a sheet discharge roller protrudes. .

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet stacking unit, a support member that supports the sheet stacking unit so as to move up and down linearly over the entire moving distance, and the sheet stacking unit. And a first motor that moves the paper up and down, and a paper stacking device in which the paper stacking means moves up and down through a paper discharge means that discharges the paper. A base member that supports the paper discharge tray, and the base member moves the paper discharge tray in a paper discharge direction from a position that interferes with the paper discharge means when viewed from above and below to a position that does not interfere with the paper discharge means; A second motor for driving the moving means, and the moving means rotates the second motor substantially perpendicularly to the movement of the paper discharge tray in the paper discharge direction and the paper discharge direction of the paper discharge tray. Paper to be used Including means for converting the direction of movement of, and employs a configuration that.
In the second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, it adopts a configuration that has a sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1.

According to the present invention, while maintaining the sheet discharging function stably by projecting configuration of the sheet discharge roller in the sheet discharge port, Ru can avoid interference with the discharge roller when passing movement of the discharge tray in a simple structure.

Hereinafter, the implementation of the embodiment of the present invention based on the figures explained (although, FIGS. 1 to 22 shows as a reference example). 1 and 2 are overall schematic views of a finisher (paper post-processing device) as a paper stacking device, FIGS. 3 to 7 are diagrams related to a staple unit, and FIG. 8 is a paper ejected from a lower paper ejection tray. FIG. 9 is a schematic front view of the mechanism for raising and lowering the paper discharge tray when it is set at the receiving position of the outlet E2, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the lifting and lowering of the paper discharge tray when the upper paper discharge tray is set at the receiving position of the paper outlet E2. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of the mechanism for raising and lowering the discharge tray, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism for the lower discharge tray, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the upper discharge tray moving through the discharge outlet. FIG. 13 is a plan view of a state in which the upper discharge tray is located at the receiving position of the discharge port, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a shift configuration of the lower discharge tray. 15 is a perspective view showing the operation of the shift configuration of the lower discharge tray, and FIG. It is a lock diagram.

FIG. 1 shows a state where the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1, and the paper discharge tray 2 is set at the reception position of the paper discharge port E2. FIG. The state where the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 is shown.
As shown in FIG. 1, an entrance sensor SN 1 and an entrance roller pair 5 are provided in the vicinity of a sheet transfer portion J between a copying machine G as an image forming apparatus and the finisher 200, and are taken in by the entrance roller pair 5. The paper sheet takes the following paper discharge form according to the post-processing mode.
(1) The paper is discharged from the paper discharge port E1 dedicated to simple paper discharge to the paper discharge tray 1 as the upper paper discharge tray (simple paper discharge mode).
(2) The sheet is discharged from the sheet discharge port E2 corresponding to the processing mode without being bound to the sheet discharge tray 1 or the sheet discharge tray 2 as the lower sheet discharge tray (non-staple mode).
(3) After the binding process, the paper is discharged from the paper discharge outlet E2 to the paper discharge tray 1 or the paper discharge tray 2 (staple mode).

The transport route to the paper discharge port E1 is switched by a branch claw 20 provided downstream of the inlet roller pair 5, and the paper is transported by the transport roller pair 6 and discharged by the paper discharge roller pair 7. The paper discharge roller pair 7 includes a driving roller 7a and a driven roller 7b. The driven roller 7b comes into contact with the driving roller 7a by its own weight or urging force, and the paper is nipped between the rollers and discharged.
The branching claw 20 is driven by a solenoid 20a (see FIG. 16), and when the solenoid 20a is turned off, the sheet is conveyed toward the paper discharge port E1 as shown in FIG. A symbol SN2 in the simple paper discharge route C indicates a paper discharge sensor provided in the vicinity of the paper discharge roller pair 7.

When the solenoid 20a is turned on and the branching claw 20 is rotated upward, the sheet is guided substantially horizontally. A branching claw 21 is provided downstream of the branching claw 20, and the paper guided substantially horizontally is selectively selected by the branching claw 21 to the non-stapling route B where the binding processing is not performed or the staple route A where the binding processing is performed. Guided.
The branch claw 21 is driven by a solenoid 21a (see FIG. 16). When the solenoid 21a is turned on and rotated upward, the sheet is guided to a staple route A in a substantially vertical direction. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the solenoid 21a is turned off and transported to the non-staple route B.

In the non-stapling route B, the sheet is conveyed by the conveyance roller pair 8 and is discharged to the discharge tray 1 or the discharge tray 2 by the discharge roller pair 9. Reference numeral SN3 denotes a paper discharge sensor in the non-staple route B and the staple route A.
In the staple route A, the sheet is transported by the transport roller pair 10 and sent to the staple unit 60 for binding processing. The bound sheets (bundle) are discharged to the discharge tray 1 or the discharge tray 2 by the discharge roller pair 9. Reference numeral SN4 in the staple route A indicates a staple discharge sensor.
The discharge roller pair 9 includes a drive roller 9a and a driven roller 9b. The driven roller 9b is supported on the upstream side of the sheet discharge direction and is supported on a free end portion of a support member 13 that is provided to be rotatable in the vertical direction. It is supported rotatably. The driven roller 9b abuts on the driving roller 9a by its own weight or urging force, and the paper is nipped between the rollers and discharged. When the bound sheet bundle is discharged, the support member 13 is rotated upward and returned at a predetermined timing. This timing is determined based on the detection signal of the paper discharge sensor SN3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the paper discharge tray 2 is positioned at the paper discharge outlet E2 in order from the top on the paper discharge outlets E1 and E2 side of the apparatus main body, the retraction position of the paper discharge tray 1 (at the paper discharge outlet E1). In contrast, the retraction position detection sensor SN5 for detecting the sheet discharge tray 1 (which is also a position where the sheet can be received) detects the position when the sheet discharge tray 1 is positioned at the sheet discharge outlet E2, and the position of the sheet discharge tray 2 is also detected. A paper surface detection sensor SN6 for detecting the upper surface or the upper surface of the paper on the paper discharge tray 2, and a standby position of the paper discharge tray 2 (when paper is stacked at the position of the stacking surface of the paper discharge tray 2) Standby position detection sensor SN8 for detecting the position of the uppermost sheet), fullness detection sensor SN9 for detecting the full position of the discharge tray 2, and lower limit position detection sensor for detecting the lower limit position of the discharge tray 2. SN7 established It is.

When the paper discharge tray 1 is positioned at the paper discharge port E2, the paper discharge tray 2 is positioned not at the lower limit position but at a standby position detected by the standby position detection sensor SN8, and a small moving distance when the paper discharge tray 2 is designated. Can be moved to the paper discharge port E2.
Each sensor has a difference in the front and rear position in the paper discharge direction depending on its function. However, in FIGS. 1 and 2, all the sensors are arranged on a straight line so that only the difference in the vertical direction can be seen. it's shown.

  The paper discharge tray 1 and the paper discharge tray 2 are individually driven by separate drive sources, and the positioning of the discharge port E2 and the like are controlled by the control means 100 described later.

Next, the configuration of the staple unit 60 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the paper guided to the staple route A is stacked on a staple tray (not shown) by the transport roller pair 10 and the paper discharge roller pair 11.
In this case, alignment in the vertical direction (paper conveyance direction) is performed by the tapping roller 12 for each sheet, and alignment in the horizontal direction (paper width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction) is performed by the jogger fence 62. The stapler 61 is driven by a stapling signal from the control means 100 described later between the job breaks, that is, between the last sheet of the sheet bundle and the first sheet of the next sheet bundle, and the binding process is performed.
The sheet bundle subjected to the binding process is immediately sent to the discharge roller pair 9 by the discharge belt 71 having the discharge claw 71a, and the discharge sheet set at the receiving position of the discharge port E2 as shown in FIG. The paper is discharged to the tray 2 (or the paper discharge tray 1).
As shown in FIG. 7, the home position detection sensor SN11 detects the home position of the release claw 71a. The home position detection sensor SN11 is turned on by an operation piece 71b provided on the release belt 71.・ Turn it off.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the tapping roller 12 is given a pendulum motion by a tapping solenoid 66 around the fulcrum 12a, and intermittently acts on the paper fed to the staple tray as shown in FIG. It strikes against the end fence 68. At this time, since the discharge roller pair 11 has a brush roller (see FIG. 1), this prevents back flow at the trailing edge of the sheet. The hitting roller 12 rotates counterclockwise.

As shown in FIG. 3, the jogger fence 62 is driven via a jogger belt 64 by a jogger motor 63 capable of forward and reverse rotation, and reciprocates in the paper width direction.
As shown in FIG. 5, the staple unit 60 is driven via a staple belt 70 by a staple moving motor 69 capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions, and moves in the width direction of the sheet in order to bind a predetermined position at the end of the sheet.
The staple discharge sensor SN4 detects the trailing edge of the sheet and immediately issues an ON command to the solenoid 66 to operate the tapping roller 12, so that the trailing end of the sheet discharged to the staple tray (not shown) by the tapping roller 12 is detected. It is abutted against the rear end fence 68 and arranged at a position to be aligned.

Next, an operation when the staple mode is selected will be described.
When the staple mode is selected, as shown in FIG. 3, the jogger fence 62 moves from the home position and stands by at a standby position that is 7 mm away from the width of the sheet discharged to the staple tray. When the sheet is conveyed by the conveying roller pair 10 and the trailing end of the sheet passes the staple paper discharge sensor SN4, the jogger fence 62 moves inward by 5 mm from the standby position and stops.
Further, the staple paper discharge sensor SN4 detects when the trailing edge of the paper passes, and the signal is input to the CPU 102 (see FIG. 16). The CPU 102 counts the number of pulses transmitted from the conveying motor that drives the conveying roller pair 10 from the time of receiving this signal, and turns on the hitting solenoid 66 after transmitting a predetermined pulse.
The tapping roller 12 performs a pendulum motion when the tapping solenoid 66 is turned on and off. When the tapping solenoid 66 is on, the tapping roller 12 strikes the paper and returns it to the lower side, and abuts against the rear end fence 68 to align the paper. At this time, every time a sheet stored in the staple tray passes through the entrance sensor SN1 or the staple discharge sensor SN4, the signal is input to the CPU 102, and the number of sheets is counted.

  After a lapse of a predetermined time after the hit solenoid 66 is turned off, the jogger fence 62 is further moved inward by 2.6 mm by the jogger motor 63 and is temporarily stopped to complete the horizontal alignment. The jogger fence 62 then moves 7.6 mm, returns to the standby position, and waits for the next sheet. This operation is performed up to the last page. After that, it moves again to the inside of 7.6 mm and stops and presses both ends of the sheet bundle to prepare for the stapling operation. Thereafter, the stapler 61 is operated by a staple motor after a predetermined time, and the binding process is performed. At this time, if a plurality of bindings are designated, after the binding process at one place is completed, the staple moving motor 69 is driven, and the stapler 61 is moved to the appropriate position along the rear end of the sheet, so that the second binding is performed. Processing is performed.

When the binding process is completed, the discharge motor 72 is driven, and the discharge belt 71 is driven. At this time, the paper discharge motor is also driven, and the paper discharge roller pair 9 starts to rotate to receive the sheet bundle lifted by the discharge claw 71a. At this time, the jogger fence 62 is controlled so that the operation differs depending on the paper size and the number of sheets to be bound.
For example, when the number of sheets to be bound is less than the set number or smaller than the set size, the trailing edge of the sheet bundle is hooked and conveyed by the discharge claw 71a while the sheet bundle is pressed by the jogger fence 62.

Then, the jogger fence 62 is retracted 2.6 mm after a predetermined pulse from the detection by the paper presence / absence sensor SN15 (see FIG. 4) or the home position detection sensor SN11 of the discharge claw 71a, and the restriction on the paper by the jogger fence 62 is released. This predetermined pulse is set between the time when the discharge claw 71a collides with the rear end of the paper and the time when it passes through the front end of the jig fence 55.
When the number of sheets to be bound is larger than the set number or larger than the set size, the jogger fence 62 is retracted by 2.6 mm in advance and discharged. In any case, when the sheet bundle passes through the jogger fence 62, the jogger fence 62 moves further outward by 5 mm and returns to the standby position to prepare for the next sheet. It is also possible to adjust the binding force according to the distance of the jogger fence 62 to the paper.

Next, the configuration of the paper discharge trays 1 and 2 and its support member (elevating mechanism) will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the paper discharge tray 1 is provided on a base member 57 supported by a support member 56 composed of a pair of guide rails 30a and 30b described later so as to be movable in the vertical direction.
The paper discharge tray 1 is integrally formed with an end fence 1a for aligning the rear end of the paper. When the paper is loaded on the paper discharge tray 1 with a certain amount or more of the end fence 1a, the end fence 1a is full. As a full detection means for detecting (state), a full detection sensor SN12 is provided (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). When detection by the full detection sensor SN12 is performed, control such as prohibition of paper discharge to the paper discharge tray 1 is performed, and the occurrence of poor stacking can be prevented in advance. The fullness here means a stacking amount that does not disturb the stacking state of the sheets when the discharge tray 1 moves up and down with the sheets stacked.
The rear end of the paper in the paper discharge tray 2 is aligned by an end fence 3 that forms the side surface of the apparatus main body. These paper discharge trays 1 and 2 are provided in a stacked state in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 10, the paper discharge tray 1 is attached to a base body 40 fixed between the side plates 39a and 39b so as to be slidable in the paper discharge direction via a slide base 50 described later. The side plates 39a and 39b are provided with a rotatable guide roller 44 through a short shaft (not shown). The guide roller 44 is engaged with a pair of U-shaped guide rails 30a and 30b in the vertical direction. It is provided to be movable.
Further, since the guide rollers 44 are positioned by assembling the side plates 39a and 39b and the base body 40, the guide rollers 44 are prevented from coming off from the guide rails 30a and 30b.
A timing belt 37 is tensioned on the drive shaft 33a and the driven shaft 33b via a timing pulley 36. A part of the side plates 39a and 39b is fixed to a part of the timing belt 37, and the unit including the paper discharge tray 1 is suspended so as to be lifted and lowered by such a configuration.

On the other hand, the paper discharge tray 2 is attached to a base 43 fixed between the side plates 42a and 42b, like the paper discharge tray 1. The side plates 42a and 42b are provided with a rotatable guide roller 44 via a short shaft (not shown). The guide roller 44 is engaged with a pair of U-shaped guide rails 30a and 30b so as to be movable. Is provided. That is, the paper discharge tray 1 and the paper discharge tray 2 share a pair of guide rails 30a and 30b. Further, since the guide rollers 44 are positioned by assembling the side plates 42a, 42b and the base 43, the guide rollers 44 are prevented from coming off from the guide rails 30a, 30b.
A timing belt 35 is tensioned on the drive shaft 41a and the driven shaft 41b via a timing pulley 34. A part of the side plates 42a and 42b is fixed to a part of the timing belt 35, and the unit including the paper discharge tray 2 is suspended so as to be lifted and lowered by such a configuration.

As shown in FIG. 11, the sheet discharge tray 2 configured to be movable up and down as described above moves up and down by driving the drive shaft 41 a by the drive unit 29.
The power generated by the vertically movable upper and lower motor 31 as a drive source for moving the discharge tray 2 in the vertical direction is transmitted to the final gear of the gear train fixed to the drive shaft 41a via the worm gear 30. ing. Since the worm gear 30 is provided midway, the paper discharge tray 2 can be held at a fixed position, and an accidental drop accident of the paper discharge tray 2 can be prevented.
Although not shown, the drive unit for the paper discharge tray 1 is the same, and a drive source for moving the paper discharge tray 1 in the vertical direction is a vertically movable motor 55 shown in FIG.

A shielding plate 42c is integrally formed on the side plate 42a of the paper discharge tray 2. The fullness detection sensor SN9 and the lower limit position detection sensor SN7 are turned on / off by the shielding plate 42c. These sensors are photosensors, and are turned on when blocked by the shielding plate 42c.
The standby position detection sensor SN8 has a configuration in which the detection piece protrudes from the surface of the end fence 3 with a biasing force, and is turned on when the detection piece abuts against the paper on the paper discharge tray 2 or the paper on the paper discharge tray 2. (The full detection sensor SN9 and the lower discharge tray position detection sensor SN10 are omitted in FIGS. 8 and 9).
The paper surface detection sensor SN6 has the same configuration as the standby position detection sensor SN8. In FIG. 4, the driven roller 9b of the paper discharge roller pair 9 is omitted.
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 17 denotes a sponge return roller that comes into contact with the paper discharged from the paper discharge port E <b> 2 and abuts the rear end of the paper against the end fence 3.

Next, the slide configuration of the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction will be described in detail based on FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 12, and FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the guide rails 30 a and 30 b include a driving roller 9 a (discharge roller) of the discharge roller pair 9 protruding from the moving surface of the discharge tray 1 in the sheet discharge direction, and a discharge tray. 1 is provided with a cam 81 for sliding the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction. The length of the cam 81 in the vertical direction extends from the vicinity below the paper discharge roller pair 9 to the paper discharge roller pair 7.
The thickness of the cam 81 in the paper discharge direction is three stages: a thick portion 81a that can avoid interference with the paper discharge roller pair 9, an inclined portion 81b, and a thin portion 81c located below the paper discharge roller pair 9. ing.
A guide roller 80 that rolls on the cam surface of the cam 81 (the front surface of the cam 81 in the sheet discharge direction) is provided on the back surface of the end fence 1 a of the discharge tray 1.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, slide rails 53 are fixed to the inner surfaces of the side plates 39a and 39b, respectively. Two shafts 51 having guide rollers 52 guided by the slide rails 53 are provided at both ends between the slide rails 53, and the slide base 50 is supported between the shafts 51 (in this case, fixed). Has been. The paper discharge tray 1 is fixed to the slide base 50.
One ends of springs 54 as elastic members are engaged with both ends of the slide base 50 in the sheet width direction, and the other ends of the springs 54 are raised at the rear end of the base body 40 in the sheet discharge direction. It is latched by the spring latching piece 40a. With this configuration, the paper discharge tray 1 is constantly pressed against the cam 81 by the biasing force of the spring 54, and the guide roller 80 is in contact with the cam surface.
The side plates 39a and 39b, the base body 40, the slide base 50, the shaft 51, the slide rail 53, the spring 54, and the like constitute a base member 57 that supports the paper discharge tray 1.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1, and the paper discharge tray 2 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2. In this case, since the guide roller 80 of the paper discharge tray 1 is located at the thick portion 81a of the cam 81, as shown in FIG. 12, the end fence 1a of the paper discharge tray 1 and the paper discharge roller pair in the paper discharge direction. There is a slight gap between 9 and 9.
From this state, as shown in FIG. 9, when the paper discharge tray 2 is placed in a standby position and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, the paper discharge tray 1 moves up the paper discharge port E2. , The paper discharge tray 1 does not interfere with the paper discharge roller pair 9 because the guide roller 80 passes through the paper discharge port E2 with the guide roller 80 positioned at the thick portion 81a of the cam 81. To do.
Thereafter, the guide roller 80 reaches from the thick part 81a to the thin part 81c via the inclined part 81b. When the guide roller 80 enters the inclined portion 81b, the paper discharge tray 1 starts to slide toward the cam 81 due to the biasing force of the spring 54, and is finally positioned at a position where paper can be received from the paper discharge port E2. The slide of the discharge tray 1 is not tilted while maintaining the posture by the horizontal movement of the slide base 50, in other words.

At this receiving position, as shown in FIG. 13, the end fence 1a of the paper discharge tray 1 and the drive roller 9a of the paper discharge roller pair 9 overlap. Strictly, although not shown, the end fence 1a is formed with a notch recessed portion that is notched in the vertical direction so as to avoid interference with the driving roller 9a. Only overlaps the driving roller 9a in the vertical direction. As a result, the trailing edge of the sheet discharged from the sheet discharge outlet E2 is prevented from entering between the drive roller 9a and the end fence 1a to cause a stacking failure. This overlap configuration also functions in the same manner for the paper discharge roller pair 7 at the paper discharge port E1.
The paper surface detection sensor SN6 for setting the paper discharge tray 1 to the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 is turned on / off at the lower end of the notch recess when no paper is loaded on the paper discharge tray 1. . In addition, although not shown, in order to avoid interference between the return roller 17 and the end fence 1a of the paper discharge tray 1, a similar notch recess is formed in the end fence 1a.

  According to the cam configuration, the discharge tray 1 can be slid in the sheet discharge direction by using the vertical movement force of the discharge tray 1 to avoid interference with the discharge roller pair 9, so that interference can be avoided. There is no need to provide a dedicated drive source, and there is an advantage that cost reduction can be realized.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a shift motor 46, a crank gear 47 and the like are arranged on the back side of the end fence 3 so that the end fence 3 can be shifted. A member 80 having a long hole extending vertically is fixed to the back surface of the end fence 3, and a pin 86 that is eccentrically fixed to the crank gear 47 is engaged with the long hole. The rotation of the shift motor 46 is transmitted to the worm gear 82 by the belt 84, and the crank gear 47 engaged therewith rotates.
This shift movement is monitored by the shift sensor SN14, and the stop position is determined. The end fence 3 and the discharge tray 2 are fitted in a comb shape that allows the discharge tray 2 to move up and down, and the discharge tray 2 follows the movement of the end fence 3.
With this configuration, a sorting stack in the paper discharge tray 2 is possible.

  In this embodiment, the offset stack is realized by the shift operation of the discharge trays 1 and 2 itself (the shift operation of the discharge tray 1 will be described later). It is also possible to shift during transport. A method using a jogger fence of the staple unit 60 is also conceivable for the offset stack in the paper discharge tray 2. Moreover, it is also possible to combine these methods.

As shown in FIG. 16, the control means 100 is a microcomputer having a CPU 102, an I / O interface 104, etc., each switch (SW) of a control panel (not shown) of the main body of the copying machine G, and a paper surface detection sensor. Signals from sensors such as SN 6 are input to the CPU 102 via the I / O interface 104. Based on the input signal, the CPU 102 moves the vertical motor 55 for the paper discharge tray 1, the vertical motor 31 for the paper discharge tray 2, the solenoid 20 a, the solenoid 21 a, the tapping solenoid 66, and the transport motor that drives each pair of transport rollers. A paper discharge motor for driving each pair of paper discharge rollers, a staple motor for driving the stapler 61, a discharge motor 72 for driving the discharge belt 71, a staple moving motor 69 for moving the stapler 61, and a jogger motor 63 for driving the jogger fence 11. Etc. are controlled.
The pulse signal of the conveying motor that drives the conveying roller pair 10 is input to the CPU 102 and counted, and the hitting solenoid 66 is controlled according to this count.
The matching control means is composed of the CPU 102 and various operation programs that operate the CPU 102.

In the above configuration, first, an operation when the non-staple mode in which the binding process is not performed is selected will be described.
(When discharging from the discharge roller pair 7 to the discharge tray 1)
The copied paper is received by the entrance roller pair 5, transported by the transport roller pair 6, discharged by the paper discharge roller pair 7, and stacked on the paper discharge tray 1. At this time, the paper discharge roller pair 7 is decelerated when the paper discharge sensor SN2 detects the trailing edge of the paper, thereby improving the stackability.

(When discharging from the discharge roller pair 9 to the discharge tray 2)
The copied paper is received by the entrance roller pair 5, transported by the transport roller pair 8, discharged by the paper discharge roller pair 9, and stacked on the paper discharge tray 2. At this time, the paper discharge roller pair 9 is decelerated when the paper discharge sensor SN3 detects the trailing edge of the paper, thereby improving the stackability.
Further, when the copied paper is sequentially discharged and the upper surface is detected by the paper surface detection sensor SN6, the vertical motor 31 is driven and the paper discharge tray 2 is lowered so that the paper surface height is always at an appropriate height. Kept. In the sort and stack modes, the shift motor 46 is driven by the partition signal output from the control panel of the copying machine G to shift the discharge tray 2 and sort until the job is completed.

Next, the control operation of the paper discharge trays 1 and 2 by the control means 100 will be described.
First, the initial operation (homing operation) of the paper discharge trays 1 and 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the home position of the discharge tray 1 is the position where the rear end of the base member 57 is detected by the retracted position detection sensor SN5, and the discharge tray 2 is the paper surface detection sensor SN6. Is the position at which the upper end of the stacking surface or the top surface of the stacked sheets is detected (the same applies to other embodiments below).
This initial operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following flowcharts, the paper discharge tray 1 is simply abbreviated as tray 1 and the paper discharge tray 2 is abbreviated as tray 2.
First, in order to set the paper discharge tray 1 at the receiving position of the paper discharge outlet E1, the control means 100 checks the retreat position detection sensor SN5 (S1), and if it is off, raises the paper discharge tray 1 (S2). Subsequently, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S3), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S4). If the retract position detection sensor SN5 is on in S1, the process proceeds to S5.

Next, in order to set the paper discharge tray 2 at the receiving position of the paper discharge outlet E2, the control means 100 checks the paper surface detection sensor SN6 (S5), and if it is off, the paper discharge tray 2 is once raised (S6). . Subsequently, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S7), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S8). Next, after lowering the paper discharge tray 2 (S9), the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S10). When it is turned off, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S11), and the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is set to 0. Is set (S12).
In S5, when the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is on, the discharge tray 2 is lowered (S13), and the process proceeds to S10.

Next, a case where the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is 0, the paper discharge tray 1 is set to the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, and the paper discharge tray 2 is set to the standby state will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is checked (S14). If the position flag is 0, it is determined that the paper discharge tray 1 is at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1, and the following operation is performed. First, the discharge tray 2 is lowered to set the discharge tray 2 in a standby state (S15), and then whether or not the standby position detection sensor SN8 has been turned off from on, that is, turned on at the lower end of the discharge tray 2. Then, it is checked whether the upper end or the upper end of the paper on the paper discharge tray 2 has passed and turned off (S16). When the paper is turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S17).

Next, in order to set the paper discharge tray 1 to the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, the paper discharge tray 1 is lowered (S18), and whether or not the paper surface detection sensor SN6 has been turned off from on, that is, the paper discharge tray 1 It is turned on at the lower end, and it is checked whether or not the upper end of the end fence 1a (strictly, the lower end of the cut-out recess) is turned off (S19), and when it is turned off from on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S20). ). Then, 1 is set to the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 (S21).
In the present embodiment, as described above, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 as detection means for positioning the paper discharge tray 2 at the reception position of the paper discharge outlet E2 is used, and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the reception position of the paper discharge outlet E2. Shared as a detection means for positioning.

Next, a case where the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is 1 and the paper discharge tray 1 is set to the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 or the paper discharge tray 2 is set to the standby state will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. .
First, the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is checked (S22). If the position flag is 1, the discharge tray 1 is raised to confirm that the discharge tray 1 is at the receiving position of the discharge port E2. (S23), the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S24). When the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S25), and then the paper discharge tray 1 is lowered (S26). Subsequently, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S27), and when it is turned off, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S28), and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2.

Next, in order to set the paper discharge tray 2 to the standby state, the paper discharge tray 2 is raised (S29), and the standby position detection sensor SN8 is checked (S30). When it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S31), and then the paper discharge tray 2 is lowered (S32). Next, the standby position detection sensor SN8 is checked (S33), and when it is turned off, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S34). Then, the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is set to 1 (S35).
That is, when the position flag is 1, the discharge tray 1 is raised and lowered and reset by the paper surface detection sensor SN6, and the discharge tray 2 is raised and lowered and reset by the standby position detection sensor SN8.

Next, the operation when the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is 0 and the discharge tray 1 is reset to the receiving position of the discharge outlet E1 or the discharge tray 2 is reset to the receiving position of the discharge outlet E2 is shown in FIG. It demonstrates based on the flowchart of these.
First, the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is checked (S36). If it is 0, it is determined that the paper discharge tray 1 is at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1, and the following operation is performed. First, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked to set the paper discharge tray 2 at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 (S37), and if it is off, the paper discharge tray 2 is temporarily raised (S38).
Subsequently, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S39). If it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S40), and then the paper discharge tray 2 is lowered (S41). Further, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S42), and when it is turned off, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S43).

Next, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S44), and if it is off, the discharge tray 1 is raised (S45). Subsequently, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S46), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S47). That is, the paper discharge tray 1 is reset by the retreat position detection sensor SN5. Then, 0 is set in the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 (S48).
If the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is on in S2, the paper discharge tray 2 is lowered (S49), and the process proceeds to S42.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 21 shows a case where the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is 1, and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1 or the paper discharge tray 2 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2. Based on
The position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is checked (S50). If the position flag is 1, it is determined that the paper discharge tray 1 is at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, and the following operation is performed.
First, in order to set the paper discharge tray 1 at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1, the paper discharge tray 1 is raised (S51), the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S52), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped. (S53).
Next, in order to set the paper discharge tray 2 to the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, the paper discharge tray 2 is raised (S54), and the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S55). Stop (S56). Next, the paper discharge tray 2 is lowered (S57), and the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S58). When it is turned off, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S59), and the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is set to 0 (S60).

In an actual copying operation, a post-processing mode and a paper discharge destination are determined on an operation unit of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer driver, and a paper discharge tray is switched based on the information.
In the state shown in FIG. 1 (discharge tray default state), the discharge tray is switched only when discharging to the discharge tray 1 in the staple mode. That is, the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2.
When the job is completed in the state shown in FIG. 2, the homing operation of the paper discharge trays 1 and 2 is appropriately performed based on the determination of the control unit of the image forming apparatus G.

Next, based on FIG. 22, a modified example of a method of sliding the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction using a cam will be described. In addition, the same part as the said embodiment is shown with the same code | symbol, and only the principal part is demonstrated. Further, the description of the configuration and functions already described is omitted unless particularly necessary.
In the base member 57 in this embodiment, the slide base 50 is supported by a slide rail 53 that is fixed so as to be inclined so that the front side in the paper discharge direction is raised with respect to the side plates 39a and 39b. An inclined surface 1 b is also formed, and the inclined surface 1 b is fixed to the slide base 50.
The inclination angle θ is set so that the paper discharge tray 1 slides upstream in the paper discharge direction due to its own weight.
With this configuration, the discharge tray 1 is pressed against the cam 81 by at least its own weight.

In the operation in which the paper discharge tray 1 moves downward and passes through the paper discharge port E2, the paper discharge tray 1 is moved in the paper discharge direction by the weight of the paper discharge tray 1 from the time when the guide roller 80 enters the inclined portion 81b of the cam 81. The sheet starts to slide to the upstream side while maintaining its posture, and is finally positioned so as to be able to receive the sheet at the sheet discharge outlet E2.
According to this embodiment, since the spring 54 is unnecessary compared with the said embodiment, there exists an advantage which can implement | achieve the simplification of a structure and cost reduction.

In the first embodiment in which the paper discharge tray 1 moves horizontally, a configuration in which the paper discharge tray 1 is pressed against the cam 81 by a magnetic force without using the spring 54 may be employed. For example, a band plate-like magnet (for example, a magnet sheet) is fixed to the cam surface of the cam 81, the front surface of the magnet in the paper discharge direction is used as the cam surface, and the guide roller 80 is formed of a ferromagnetic material. Of course, the entire cam 81 may be a magnet, or only the cam surface of the cam 81 may be magnetized.
Conversely, the guide roller 80 may be formed of a magnet, and the cam 81 may be formed of a ferromagnetic material.
In addition, a magnetic force configuration may be added to the configuration of the above-described tilt movement so that the pressure contact state between the cam surface of the cam 81 and the guide roller 80 is ensured.

In each of the above embodiments, the method of sliding the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction by the cam 81 has been described. However, a drive source for avoiding interference with the paper discharge roller pair 9 is provided, and the control of the drive source A method of sliding the paper discharge tray 1 can also be employed.
One example thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same part as the said embodiment is shown with the same code | symbol, and only the principal part is demonstrated. Further, the description of the configuration and functions already described is omitted unless particularly necessary.
In the present embodiment, the drive source for sliding the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction is separate from the vertical motor 55 as the drive source for moving the paper discharge tray 1 in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 25, the slide base 50 in the present embodiment is rotated via a forward and reverse slide motor 49 and a belt 15 as a second drive source for sliding the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction. Driven by a crank pulley 48 as a slide drive member, it slides in the paper discharge direction. A long hole 50a extending in the paper width direction is formed in the slide base 50, and an eccentric pin 48a formed in the crank pulley 48 is engaged with the long hole 50a.
The stop position of the slide base 50 is monitored by the slide sensor SN13 and the slide sensor SN19 located at a position shifted from the position of the slide sensor SN13 to the upstream side of the rotation direction of the crank pulley 48 by approximately 90 ° in the paper discharge direction. It has become. This monitoring is performed by turning on and off the slide sensors SN13 and 19 by the detection piece 48b formed on the crank pulley 48.
The slide base 50, the shaft 51, the slide rail 53, the crank pulley 48, and the like constitute moving means for moving the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction.

23 and 25 show a state where the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1, and the paper discharge tray 2 is set at the reception position of the paper discharge port E2. This state is a state in which the detection piece 48b of the crank pulley 48 turns on the slide sensor SN13. As shown in FIG. 25, the end fence 1a of the paper discharge tray 1 and the paper discharge roller pair 9 in the paper discharge direction are arranged. There is a slight gap between them.
In this state, as shown in FIG. 24, when the paper discharge tray 2 is kept in the standby position and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the paper receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, the paper discharge tray 1 opens the paper discharge port E2. In the movement from above to below, the paper discharge tray 1 is maintained at the position where the slide sensor SN13 is turned on, and thus passes without interfering with the paper discharge roller pair 9.

  When the paper discharge tray 1 passes through the paper discharge port E2 and reaches a predetermined position, the vertical movement of the paper discharge tray 1 (strictly, the base member 57) is stopped, and as shown in FIG. It is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R. The predetermined position here is a position where the rear end of the base member 57 is detected by the tray 1 detection sensor SN18 as shown in FIG. The predetermined position is a position where the paper discharge tray 1 receives the paper from the paper discharge port E2 when the paper discharge tray 1 is slid upstream in the paper discharge direction with the base member 57 stopped. It is. The tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is detection means for detecting the base member 57 and positioning the paper discharge tray 1 at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2.

  In the configuration of the cam system described above, the end fence 1a of the paper discharge tray 1 always moves along the cam surface, so that the paper discharge detection sensor SN6 can detect the paper discharge tray 1 without causing a time lag. In this case, the control is to slide the discharge tray 1 after the discharge tray 1 is lowered to a predetermined position (when the discharge tray 1 passes through the discharge port E2 from the top to the bottom). It is extremely difficult to detect with the sensor SN6. For this reason, the tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is provided. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is not used for detecting the paper discharge tray 1.

  When the slide motor 49 rotates in the direction of arrow R, the crank pulley 48 rotates in the same direction, so that the paper discharge tray 1 slides upstream in the paper discharge direction by the urging force of the spring 54, and as shown in FIG. When the pulley 48 rotates 90 °, the detection piece 48b stops at the position where the slide sensor SN19 is turned on. As a result, the end fence 1a of the paper discharge tray 1 and the drive roller 9a of the paper discharge roller pair 9 overlap, and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2.

Next, the control operation of the paper discharge trays 1 and 2 by the control means 100 in this embodiment will be described.
First, the initial operation of the paper discharge trays 1 and 2 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 28 (corresponding to FIG. 17).
First, in order to set the paper discharge tray 1 at the receiving position of the paper discharge outlet E1, the control means 100 checks the retract position detection sensor SN5 (S61), and if it is off, checks the slide sensor SN13 (S62). When the slide sensor SN13 is off, the slide motor 49 is rotated in the direction opposite to the R direction (S63), and the slide sensor SN13 is continuously checked (S64). When the slide sensor SN13 is turned on, the slide motor 49 is stopped (S65), and the paper discharge tray 1 is raised (S66). Subsequently, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S67), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S68). If the retracted position detection sensor SN5 is on in S6, the process proceeds to S69.

Next, in order to set the paper discharge tray 2 at the receiving position of the paper discharge outlet E2, the control means 100 checks the paper surface detection sensor SN6 (S69), and if it is off, the paper discharge tray 2 is once raised (S70). . Subsequently, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S71), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S72). Next, the paper discharge tray 2 is lowered (S73), and the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S74). When it is turned off, the discharge tray 2 is stopped (S75), and the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is set to 0 (76).
If the slide sensor SN13 is on in S62, the process proceeds to S66, and if the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is on in S69, the process proceeds to S73.

Next, based on the flowchart of FIG. 29 (corresponding to FIG. 18), the discharge tray 1 flag is 0 and the discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the discharge port E2 or the discharge tray 2 is set in the standby state. explain.
First, the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is checked (S77). If the position flag is 0, it is determined that the paper discharge tray 1 is at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1, and the following operation is performed. First, the discharge tray 2 is lowered to set the discharge tray 2 in a standby state (S78), and then whether or not the standby position detection sensor SN8 has been turned off from on, that is, turned on at the lower end of the discharge tray 2. Then, it is checked whether the upper end of the sheet or the upper end of the sheet on the discharge tray 2 has passed and turned off (S79). When the sheet is turned off from on, the discharge tray 2 is stopped (S80).
Next, the discharge tray 1 is lowered to set the discharge tray 1 at the receiving position of the discharge port E2 (S81), and the tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is checked (S82). When the tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S83). Next, the slide motor 49 is rotated in the R direction (S84), and the slide sensor SN19 is checked (S85). When the slide sensor SN19 is turned on, the slide motor 49 is stopped (S86), and 1 is set to the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 (S87).

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 30 shows a case where the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is 1, and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge outlet E1 or the paper discharge tray 2 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge outlet E2. (Equivalent to FIG. 21) will be described.
The position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is checked (S88). If the position flag is 1, it is determined that the paper discharge tray 1 is at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, and the following operation is performed.
First, in order to set the paper discharge tray 1 at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1, the slide motor 49 is rotated in the direction opposite to the R direction (S89), and the slide sensor SN13 is checked (S90). When the slide sensor SN13 is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is raised (S91), and the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S92). When the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S93).

Next, in order to set the paper discharge tray 2 to the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, the paper discharge tray 2 is raised (S94), and the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S95). Stop (S96). Next, the paper discharge tray 2 is lowered (S97), and the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S98). When the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is turned off, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S99), and the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is set to 0 (S100).
The control for setting the position flag of the discharge tray 1 to 1 when the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is 1, and the control of setting the position flag of the discharge tray 1 to 0 when the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is 0 are shown in FIG. Since it is the same as 19 and 20, it is omitted.

In the above embodiment, the drive source for sliding the discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction is separate from the vertical motor 55 as the drive source for moving the discharge tray 1 in the vertical direction. Since the vertical movement is not performed when the tray 1 is slid, the discharge tray 1 can be slid using the driving force of the vertical motor 55.
In the above embodiment, the spring 54 may not be used and the structure may be configured to slide with its own weight shown in FIG.

The system having the slide drive source shown in FIGS. 23 to 27 is configured to avoid interference with the paper discharge roller pair 9 in the passage movement of the paper discharge tray 1, that is, the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction. In addition to this, the sheet discharge tray 1 is slidable in the sheet width direction substantially orthogonal to the sheet discharge direction in order to enable sheet sorting stacking. A driving source that slides in the paper width direction may also serve as a driving source that slides the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction.
That is, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the slide operation and the shift operation of the paper discharge tray 1 can be performed using one drive source (slide motor 49).
An example thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same part as the said embodiment is shown with the same code | symbol, and only the principal part is demonstrated. Further, the description of the configuration and functions already described is omitted unless particularly necessary.

The difference from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 23 to 27 is that the slide base 50 is supported so as to be slidable in the paper width direction with respect to the shaft 51, and the long hole 50a is formed to extend in the paper discharge direction. In addition, when the paper discharge tray 1 is slid to the paper receiving position, the position is regulated by the slide stopper 117 provided on the slide rail 53, in addition to the slide sensor SN13, the front shift sensor SN16 and the rear shift The sensor SN17 is provided.
The point that the tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is used instead of the paper surface detection sensor SN6 for the detection of the paper discharge tray 1 is the same as in the embodiment shown in FIGS.

FIG. 31 shows a state where the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the paper discharge port E1 receiving position and the paper discharge tray 2 is set at the paper receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, as shown in FIG.
In this state, the detection piece 48b of the crank pulley 48 turns on the slide sensor SN13, and there is a slight gap between the end fence 1a of the paper discharge tray 1 and the paper discharge roller pair 9 in the paper discharge direction. Has occurred.
From this state, when the paper discharge tray 2 is kept at the standby position and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the paper receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, the paper discharge tray 1 moves from the top to the bottom through the paper discharge port E2. , The paper discharge tray 1 is maintained at the position where the slide sensor SN13 is turned on, and thus passes without interfering with the paper discharge roller pair 9.

When the discharge tray 1 passes through the discharge port E2 and the rear end of the base member 57 is detected by the tray 1 detection sensor SN18, the vertical movement of the discharge tray 1 (strictly, the base member 57) is stopped, In order to position the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper receiving state, the slide motor 49 is rotationally driven in the arrow N direction. This is A rotation of the crank pulley 48 shown in FIG. 32. When the front shift sensor SN16 is turned on by the detection piece 48b, the slide motor 49 stops. In this case, since the paper discharge tray 1 is pulled to the upstream side in the paper discharge direction by the spring 54, the paper discharge tray 1 is moved toward the paper discharge roller pair 9 side (the apparatus main body side) as the eccentric pin 48a of the crank pulley 48 moves. ) And is positioned at a predetermined paper receiving position by the slide stopper 117.
Simultaneously with the slide movement in the paper discharge direction, the paper discharge tray 1 also slides in the paper width direction along the shaft 51 (A movement).
In order to avoid interference with the discharge roller pair 9, the reverse operation is performed.

Next, when the sheets are sorted and stacked, the slide motor 49 is rotated so that the crank pulley 48 rotates B. When the crank pulley 48 rotates B, the paper discharge tray 1 moves B along the shaft 51. This B movement stops when the rear shift sensor SN17 is turned on by the detection piece 48b. When a predetermined number of sheets are loaded in this state, the slide motor 49 is reversely rotated so that the crank pulley 48 rotates C. When the crank pulley 48 rotates C, the paper discharge tray 1 moves C along the shaft 51. This C movement stops when the front shift sensor SN16 is turned on by the detection piece 48b.
This reciprocating motion (reciprocating slide) of the paper discharge tray 1 substantially perpendicular to the paper discharge direction enables the paper to be sorted and stacked on the paper discharge tray 1. In this case, the slide motor 49 is a drive source for sliding the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper discharge direction, and is also a drive source for sliding the paper discharge tray 1 in the paper width direction.

Next, the control operation of the paper discharge trays 1 and 2 by the control means 100 in this embodiment will be described.
First, the initial operation of the paper discharge trays 1 and 2 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 33 (corresponding to FIG. 17).
First, in order to set the paper discharge tray 1 at the receiving position of the paper discharge outlet E1, the control means 100 checks the retreat position detection sensor SN5 (S101), and if it is off, checks the slide sensor SN13 (S102). When the slide sensor SN13 is off, the slide motor 49 is rotated in the N direction (S103), and the slide sensor SN13 is continuously checked (S104). When the slide sensor SN13 is turned on, the slide motor 49 is stopped (S105), and the paper discharge tray 1 is raised (S106). Subsequently, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S107), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S108). If the retract position detection sensor SN5 is on in S101, the process proceeds to S109.

Next, in order to set the paper discharge tray 2 to the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, the control means 100 checks the paper surface detection sensor SN6 (S109), and if it is off, the paper discharge tray 2 is once raised (S110). . Subsequently, the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S111), and when it is turned on, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S112). Next, the paper discharge tray 2 is lowered (S113), and the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S114). When it is turned off, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S115), and the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is set to 0 (S116).
If the slide sensor SN13 is on in S102, the process proceeds to S106, and if the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is on in S109, the process proceeds to S113.

Next, based on the flowchart of FIG. 34 (corresponding to FIG. 18), the position flag of the discharge tray 1 is 0, and the discharge tray 1 is set to the receiving position of the discharge port E2 or the discharge tray 2 is set to the standby state. The case where it does is demonstrated.
First, the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is checked (S117). If the position flag is 0, it is determined that the paper discharge tray 1 is at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1, and the following operation is performed. First, the discharge tray 2 is lowered to place the discharge tray 2 in a standby state (S118), and then whether or not the standby position detection sensor SN8 has been turned off from on, that is, turned on at the lower end of the discharge tray 2. Then, it is checked whether or not the upper end of the sheet or the upper end of the sheet on the sheet discharge tray 2 has passed and turned off (S119). When the sheet is turned off from on, the sheet discharge tray 2 is stopped (S120).
Next, in order to set the paper discharge tray 1 at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1, the paper discharge tray 1 is lowered (S121), and the tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is checked (S122). When the tray 1 detection sensor SN18 is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S123). Next, the slide motor 49 is rotated in the N direction (S124), and the front shift sensor SN16 is checked (S125). When the front shift sensor SN16 is turned on, the slide motor 49 is stopped (S126), and 1 is set to the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 (S127).

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 35 shows a case where the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is 1, and the paper discharge tray 1 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge outlet E1 or the paper discharge tray 2 is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge outlet E2. (Equivalent to FIG. 21) will be described.
The position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is checked (S128). If the position flag is 1, it is determined that the paper discharge tray 1 is at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, and the following operation is performed.
First, the slide motor 49 is rotated in the direction opposite to the N direction to set the discharge tray 1 at the receiving position of the discharge outlet E1 (S129), and the slide sensor SN13 is checked (S130). When the slide sensor SN13 is turned on, the slide motor 49 is stopped (S131), and the paper discharge tray 1 is raised (S132).
Next, the retreat position detection sensor SN5 is checked (S133). When the retraction position detection sensor SN5 is turned on, the paper discharge tray 1 is stopped (S134).
Next, in order to set the paper discharge tray 2 at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2, the paper discharge tray 2 is raised (S135), the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S136). Stop (S137). Next, the paper discharge tray 2 is lowered (S138), and the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is checked (S139). When the paper surface detection sensor SN6 is turned off, the paper discharge tray 2 is stopped (S140), and the position flag of the paper discharge tray 1 is set to 0 (S141).

Next, the shift operation of the paper discharge tray 1 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
First, the control unit 100 checks the front shift sensor SN16 (S142). When the front shift sensor SN16 is on, that is, when the paper discharge tray 1 is at the paper receiving position, the slide motor 49 is moved in the N direction. (S143), then the rear shift sensor SN17 is checked (S144). When the rear shift sensor SN17 is turned on, the slide motor 49 is stopped (S145), and it is checked whether or not a predetermined number of sheets are discharged as it is (S146). When a predetermined number of sheets are discharged, it is checked whether the job is finished (S147), and if not finished, the process returns to S142.
If the front shift sensor SN16 is OFF in S1, it is determined that the shift operation has been completed on the reverse side (rear shift sensor SN17 side), and the slide motor 49 is rotated in the direction opposite to the N direction (S148). The front shift sensor SN16 is checked (S149). When the front shift sensor SN16 is turned on, the process proceeds to S145.

In the above-described embodiment, the slide motor 49, which is a drive source for the slide operation of the paper discharge tray 1, serves as a drive source for the shift operation of the paper discharge tray 1. However, a separate independent drive source may be used.
In the present embodiment, it is also possible to adopt a configuration that slides with its own weight shown in FIG.

In the configuration using the cam 81, since the inclined portion 81b of the cam 81 is necessarily required, it is necessary to move up and down by an extra dimension in the vertical direction of the inclined portion 81b. If there is a margin in the height direction of the device, a cam configuration that does not require a drive source is advantageous. However, if it is desired to reduce the height of the device, the drive shown in FIG. 23 to FIG. 27 or FIG. 31 and FIG. A configuration with a source is advantageous.
In each of the above embodiments, since the paper discharge tray 1 is supported by the guide rollers 52 and the guide rails 53, the friction resistance when sliding is small, and can be moved with a small force. . In a configuration having a slide operation drive source, power consumption of the drive source can be reduced.

  In each of the above embodiments, the embodiment of the invention is shown in the sheet post-processing apparatus as the sheet stacking apparatus. However, the present invention can be similarly implemented in the case of an image forming apparatus not provided with the sheet post-processing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a sheet post-processing apparatus as a sheet stacking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state in which a lower discharge tray is set at a receiving position of a discharge outlet E2. FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of a sheet post-processing apparatus in a state where an upper discharge tray is set at a receiving position of a discharge port E2. It is a perspective view of a staple unit. It is a general | schematic front view which shows the tap operation | movement in a staple unit. It is a perspective view of a staple unit. It is a perspective view which shows discharge operation | movement of a staple unit. It is a perspective view which shows the home position detection structure of a discharge belt. FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of a lifting mechanism of a paper discharge tray in a state where a lower paper discharge tray is set at a receiving position of a paper discharge port E2. FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of a lifting mechanism of a paper discharge tray in a state where an upper paper discharge tray is set at a receiving position of a paper discharge port E2. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a lifting mechanism for a discharge tray. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a drive mechanism for a lower discharge tray. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a state in which an upper paper discharge tray can move through a paper discharge port, where FIG. 3A is a schematic plan view, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a state in which an upper paper discharge tray is set at a receiving position of a paper discharge port. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a shift configuration of a lower discharge tray. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a shift configuration of a lower discharge tray. It is a control block diagram. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an initial operation of a paper discharge tray. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation for setting an upper paper discharge tray at a receiving position of a paper discharge port E2. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of resetting the upper discharge tray positioned at the discharge outlet E2 to the discharge outlet E2. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which resets the upper discharge tray set to the receiving position of the discharge outlet E1 to the receiving position of this discharge outlet. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation for setting the upper paper discharge tray set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 to the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1. It is a principal part front view which shows the modification of the example made to slide using a cam. It is a principal part front view which shows the example made to slide by control of a drive source. FIG. 24 is a front view of the main part in a state where the upper paper discharge tray is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 in the example shown in FIG. 23A and 23B are diagrams in the case where the upper paper discharge tray is capable of passing through the paper discharge outlet E2 in the example shown in FIG. 23, where FIG. 23A is a schematic plan view, and FIG. 23B is a schematic side view. FIG. 24 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the upper paper discharge tray is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 in the example shown in FIG. It is a control block diagram in the example shown in FIG. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an initial operation of the paper discharge tray in the example shown in FIG. 23. FIG. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an operation for setting the upper discharge tray at the receiving position of the discharge outlet E2 in the example shown in FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an operation for setting the upper paper discharge tray set at the receiving position of the paper discharge outlet E2 in the example shown in FIG. 23 at the reception position of the paper discharge outlet E1. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example in which an upper paper discharge tray is slid in a paper discharge direction and shifted, and FIG. 5A is a schematic plan view, and FIG. FIG. 32 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the upper paper discharge tray is set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 in the example shown in FIG. 31. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an initial operation of a paper discharge tray in the example shown in FIG. 31. FIG. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an operation for setting the upper discharge tray in the receiving position of the discharge outlet E2 in the example shown in FIG. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an operation for setting the upper paper discharge tray set at the receiving position of the paper discharge port E2 in the example shown in FIG. 31 to the receiving position of the paper discharge port E1. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a shift operation of the upper discharge tray in the example shown in FIG. 31. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Upper paper discharge tray 1a End fence 2 Paper discharge tray 30a, 30b Guide rail as rail 49 Slide motor as drive source to slide 54 Spring as elastic member 55 Vertical motor as drive source to move up and down 56 Support member 57 Base Member 81 Cam E2 Paper exit SN12 Full detection sensor

Claims (2)

A paper stacking means; a support member that supports the paper stacking means so as to move up and down linearly over the entire moving distance; and a first motor that moves the paper stacking means in the vertical direction. In the paper stacking apparatus in which the paper stacking means moves up and down through the paper discharge means for discharging the paper,
The paper stacking means includes a paper discharge tray and a base member that supports the paper discharge tray, and the base member does not interfere with the paper discharge means when viewed from the top and bottom. Moving means for moving the paper in the paper discharge direction, and a second motor for driving the moving means ,
The moving means includes means for converting rotation of the second motor into movement in the paper discharge direction of the paper discharge tray and movement in the paper width direction substantially orthogonal to the paper discharge direction of the paper discharge tray. Characteristic paper stacking device. An image forming apparatus having the sheet stacking apparatus according to claim 1 .

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